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Trip Summary

Journey on a small 14 passenger unique sailing catamaran on an itinerary that visits some of the most popular sites of southern and eastern Galapagos. You will keep going from one surprise in the other- first the spectacular sea bird colonies of Española, then the largest American flamingo colonies of Isabela and Floreana. This varied route is characterized by relatively shorter nightly navigations and even two nights of quiet rest at fairly calm anchorage-sites.

Itinerary Day By Day

Day 1

Santa Cruz

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport you'll meet a naturalist guide who will escort you to the yacht.

In the afternoon, Las Bachas on Santa Cruz. These two small beaches are found to the west of Black Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategically point to protect the Panama Channel.

Day 2

Isabela Island

Las Tintoreras is a small bay on an islet where a colony of skarks can often be seen resting in the lava canal. In addition to the sharks there are sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and rays in the beautiful, calm turquoise waters. Nearby hundreds of marine iguanas can be observed, as 'Las Tintoreras' is one of their main breeding sites. On the nearby sandy beaches, sea lions play and relax in the sun. This is one of Isabela's most beautiful visitor sites.

In the afternoon a visit to the Arnoldo tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center, here giant tortoises are reared on Isabela in a captive breeding program for tortorise species native to the island. Isabela Island is the only island in the world which has 5 different species of these giant reptiles.

Day 3

Floreana Island

Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. The idea is to carry letters or postcards to their destination by hand. Apart from being the Post Office Barrel, this site was the landing area for some of the first colonists. We will continue to the north of the island and will ascent to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness Lookout. It is said that Baroness Eloisa von Wagner loved this place and spent several hours watching the horizon. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of what is known as her House. From this lookout, the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and wide forest of Palo Santo.

Punta Cormorant offers probably the best Flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos; it is also one of the largest in the islands. It’s situated between two tuff lava cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are various species of shorebirds to observe besides flamingos; the most frequent are common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks and other migratory birds. It is very interesting to see the two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of coral.

Day 4

Espanola Island

Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood or Espanola Island, Gardner Bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters.

Punta Suarez is a rocky land spot that sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and of the blow whole where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.

Day 5

Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz also offers excellent opportunities for viewing wild tortoises, both roaming through pastures in the agricultural zone and in the Tortoise Reserve. On your last morning we visit one or two farms that serve food and allow visitors to explore their grounds in search of tortoises. As the visitor walks into the forests overgrown with lichens, ferns, and other epiphytes, it is time to listen carefully for the sound of heavy footsteps and the sound of shrubs being slowly crushed as the tortoises make their way through the brush.

In the afternoon you visit the Charles Darwin Research Center in the main town of Puerto Ayora.

Day 6

San Cristobal

At the far eastern end of San Cristóbal is Punta Pitt. Disembarking onto the small beach, visitors are confronted by the strong stench and cacophony of barking sea lions. This is a bachelor colony, and most are exhausted from fighting and mating. A steep gully leads up the cliff to a breeding ground for Boobies of all three varieties: Red-footed, Blue-footed and Nazca. It’s the only place in the Galapagos where you can see all three species nesting together. Two species of frigatebirds are also present, as are Swallow-tailed Gulls and Storm Petrels. The view of sea lions from the top of the cliff over the beach is magnificent, as are the contours of the barren, wind-eroded peaks of the island. The trail across the Punta Pitt site offers a closer look at the hardy vegetation that manages to thrive in this volcanic wasteland. From Saltbush and spiny shrubs next to the beach the trail leads up to an area of Palo Santo trees, big yellow-green shrubs, tiny cacti and, in the dry season, carpets of red Vesuvius.

In the afternoon Urbina Bay where we find a coral sand beach. It is an excellent place to swim and snorkel. Cerro Brujo is the remains of a tuff cone. It is one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin. It has an impressive landscape, where it is often possible to see coastal and migratory birds, including pelicans, Blue-footed Boobies, and Swallow-tailed Gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. At times the lagoon is completely dry and deposits of salt may be found in the bottom. The people of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno used to use the lagoon as a salt mine.

Day 7

Santa Fe & South Plazas

Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, Santa Fe was formed from an uplift, which explains why it is mostly flat. There are some theories which assure this could be the oldest island in the Archipelago. Santa Fe is the home of a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands Iguanas of the islands. After disembarkation in the beautiful and clear waters you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Along the trail many salt bushes can be seen as well as giant prickly pear cactus. There are great possibilities of snorkeling with playful sea lions and tropical fishes.

In the afternoon South Plazas which is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than its relatives found on other islands. Throughout the island there are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana, they are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black/gray color, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The big population of iguanas is due to the presence of tunas, their favorite food. Swallow Tailed Gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other sea birds as: Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.

Day 8

Santa Cruz

In the morning Black Turtle Cove. This little cove is located at the northern side of Santa Cruz Island, this is a red mangrove lagoon very calm and quiet which makes it an ideal place as nursery for many sharks and rays. Its crystal waters permits to observe large groups of white-tip reef, black tipped reef and hammer heads sharks, schools of golden rays and spotted eagle rays. There are no landing sites so the visit is done by zodiac. Sea turtles are frequently seen and sometimes they are seen mating in the mangrove-lined waters. Pelicans and Herons are also seen in this area.

Transfer to Baltra airport for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito.

Dates & Rates

Please click on a column header to view cabin photos and descriptions.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing. All deposits are refundable up to 120 days, less a per person operator fee (varies by operator) ranging from $250 - $500 per person. Reservations cancelled after final payment due date will lose the full cruise fare.

Galapagos - Pay 2017 Rates for 2018 Trips

Ship Information

M/C Nemo I - 14 Passengers

The Nemo I is a 14-passenger sailing catamaran, completely renovated/refurbished in 2014. With a wide stance, the Nemo I offers classic catamaran stability. The sails are hoisted as often as possible, making this as true a Galapagos sailing experience as you can get. Spectacular catamaran netting spans between both sterns of the hulls and offers a unique viewpoint from which to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Islands. This lounge space is supplemented by an ample and brand-new sun deck, right above the shaded terrace. The panorama windows of the lounge on the Main Deck let in a flood of natural daylight. This cozy living guarantees a pleasant stay on cooler days and is facilitated with a bar, fixed lounge tables, TV, DVD-player and a small library. Presentations and briefings in the lounge or you can watch videos here. All 8 twin cabins are located within both hulls of the catamaran and have a private bathroom (hot/cold water, hand shower and toilet), privately controlled air conditioning, as well as a fan. Most cabins are upper / lower bunks but there are a few cabins with lower double beds.

Accommodations

Trip Policy

Included: Accommodations on board, all meals, island sightseeing, naturalist guides and lecture services in English/Spanish, snorkeling gear, luggage handling, medical care on board (but not the cost of medication), taxes, and shuttle transfers in the islands, transfers in Quito or Guayaquil.

Cancellation Policy: CCancellations must be received in writing. All deposits are refundable up to 120 days, less a per person operator fee (varies by operator) ranging from $250 - $500 per person. Reservations cancelled after final payment due date will lose the full cruise fare.

Standard Cabins

All 8 twin cabins are located within both hulls of the catamaran and have a private bathroom (hot/cold water, hand shower and toilet), privately controlled air conditioning, as well as a fan. You enter your cabin from the main deck through a multifunctional hatch and a marine staircase. The cabins are narrow, but some inside space has been gained thanks to the inventive entrance. The hatch has a skylight window that lets-in natural daylight and fresh air as well. Each cabin also has on average three portholes in the hull as well, and there is good lighting. Except for the matrimonial cabins at the rear end of the hulls, the rest of the cabins have berth beds. Those in the middle (#3 & 4) have a lower double bed; while two front cabins (#7 & 8) have single berths. All cabins have a shelf to store your luggage, but some guests in the wider cabins prefer to use one of the beds to store their bigger luggage too. There is also some additional storage room available on board. Though we recommend better not to bring access luggage.